On behalf of the Rhode Island Building Owners Association (RIBO) I am pleased to report a successful and active 2009. RIBO is a non-profit organization consisting of approximately 85 members and growing. Members include building owners, property managers, and vendors related to the real estate industry. The principal purpose of the organization is for building owners, property managers, and vendors to develop value-added relationships in order to improve conditions pertaining to the ownership and operation of commercial buildings in the Greater Providence area.
Once a month, members meet usually at a restaurant, commercial property, or local hotel, where either a building tour is conducted or a presentation is given on a relevant topic or development project in the Greater Providence area. 2009 was a year full of exciting events. Some of the highlights included:
A building tour of the Rumford Center, located in East Providence, a newly redeveloped historic mill into residences, offices, and retail business by the Peregrine Group.
A building tour of the new Westin Residences in downtown, with dynamic views and considered to be one of the most luxurious condominium projects in the city, developed by the The Procaccianti Group
A building tour of the new Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island facility in Providence, the first LEED certified healthcare facility in Rhode Island, designed by Vision 3 Architects and constructed by New England Construction.
Members were treated to a presentation by Chris Placco of Johnson & Wales University about the growth of the university in and around the city of Providence.
Our summer social incorporated what is now known as the RIBO Expo, where members were able to promote their respective businesses to other members and guests. The event was hosted by Save the Bay and it generated the largest turn out to a RIBO event.
A building tour of the new Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower in downtown, a LEED building with many sustainable attributes hosted by, in conjunction with BCBS and Symmes, Maini, & McKee Associates.
A tour of the new Hampton Inn located in downtown Providence, formerly the Saint Francis Chapel, was developed by First Bristol Corp.
In addition to forging new relationships and learning about new projects in the Ocean State, RIBO always makes room in its budget to give back. As always, we will donate to three charitable organizations. In addition, we are asking members to bring toys to our 2009 winter holiday gathering for distribution to local children in need.
If you are interested in forging new business relationships, learning about new real estate developments, or hearing experts in their respective field discuss real estate related topics, we welcome you to get involved. For more information, please visit our website at www.ribo.org.
George Paskalis is president of RI Building Owners Assn. and is a partner with MG Commercial Real Estate, Providence.